Safety does not happen by itself. Do you ever think about where a new safety procedure or system came from and why it was assigned? Those inquiries may be assumed if the assignment is entrusted to the EHS person.
But what if it’s allocated to someone in another department? Do you know how to assist them and can you help them finish the job?
Every day, we come across hazards that could cause damage, harm, or even death. We frequently hear various explanations for the necessity of fall protection or other safety initiatives. Company liability, OSHA compliance, “I was informed it needed to be done,” and so on are some of the reasons.
When we delve a bit deeper into the need, we frequently discover that the actual necessity is unknown to the individual we are speaking with. That could be scary, because how can we give the right answer if we don’t know what the problem is?
There could be a variety of reasons why someone is attempting to complete these duties, but somewhere along the line, the true requirement is to keep people safe and remove them from the hazards. Why doesn’t this person recognize the significance of this basic safety concept?
What does a safety culture look like?
A healthy safety culture begins at the top of the business and must be conveyed down as a collaborative effort. Policies and procedures must be established not only to enforce the regulations but also to raise awareness and buy-in.
Every employee should have safety at the forefront of their minds while they go about their daily tasks. If there are any unsafe activities, behaviors, or regions, they must be brought to the attention of the authorities as soon as possible. However, this cannot be the end of the story; action must be taken.
We get a lot of calls from people who require fall protection. We help them come up with the best solution based on their needs and limitations. The proposal is then sent to their supervisor or executive staff, where it is often turned down because of price, time, manpower, or other factors. These concerns were not immediately addressed.
Putting safety culture first
For a safety culture to thrive, everyone in the organization must have the same level of safety training, awareness, and prioritization. If everyone is not on board, these projects are put on hold until they are forced to conform or, worse, an accident occurs.
So, before deciding on safety tasks, ask yourself, “What is my priority?” You are conveying the message to your employees that safety is unimportant if you ignore a safety concern. A culture of safety awareness must be prioritized, communicated at all levels of the organization, and supported when action is required.
When there is no safety culture, everyone is at risk of being involved in an accident. I advise you to take the initiative. Examine and examine your safety program, involve everyone, and make safety your top priority.